led, headed and not fluent 3 out, jumped left next, no chance with winner
always behind, tailed off from 10th
tracked clear leaders to 5th, behind from 7th, never dangerous soon after
held up, headway approaching 5th, stayed on approaching 2 out, kept on flat
tracked leader, led 3 out, soon clear, pushed out flat, readily
A small field here and this should develop into a match between Golden Alpha and Vol Solitaire, who runs instead of stablemate Azertyuiop. The top weight, Golden Alpha, won four off the reel after being switched to fences in the summer, before being put in his place over course and distance by Azertyuiop in November. He was beaten 16 lengths then when in receipt of 2lbs, which gives Paul Nicholls - trainer of Vol Solitaire - a great form line for the chance of his charge. Stepping up to handicap company last time, Golden Alpha unseated two out when leading and is clearly in with every chance. However, he has to concede a full 10lbs to Vol Solitaire and while the latter does not look as good as 'Arkle' favourite Azertyuiop, he has two wins from four chases, loves soft ground, has won over the course when hurdling, and at just four is open to plenty more improvement. He just gets our vote. The other three do not look good enough here, but Duke Of Buckingham, who is tried over the minimum trip for the first time here, should head them home after some commendable placed efforts over further.
